Bob Widlar, the greatest-ever analogue IC designer, joined Fairchild in 1963. In his magnificent 'History of Semiconductor Engineering', Bo Lojek tells the story of how Widlar's first chip design was revealed to Fairchild management.
Widlar had designed his legendary 702 op amp as a more or less private project known only to a few trusted colleagues. But eventually Widlar showed it to Floyd Kvamme then working in Fairchild marketing.
Kvamme told Bob Noyce and
Bay said he would market the 702. Widlar knew it wasn't ready.
"What do you mean?" asked Widlar.
"We're going to announce the 702 and we are going to sell it", said Bay.
Widlar's response was blunt:
"Fuck you".
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